Fig trees offer a rewarding harvest, but the sweet, developing fruit often attracts birds, turning a potential bounty into a frustrating loss. Successfully harvesting figs requires implementing a multi-layered defense strategy to deter birds before they can damage the ripening fruit.
Why Birds Target Fig Trees
Birds are drawn to figs due to the fruit’s high concentration of readily available sugars. The flesh contains significant amounts of glucose and fructose, providing a dense source of energy necessary for their high metabolic rates. This nutritional composition makes figs a preferred food source.
The visual cues of ripening figs further contribute to their appeal, as birds possess excellent color perception. Darker-skinned fig varieties, which transition from green to deep purple or black, signal that the fruit has reached peak sweetness. Birds also use exploratory pecking to assess the softening texture of the fruit, identifying the moment of vulnerability, which occurs just two to three days before optimal ripeness.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Physical exclusion methods are the most reliable way to protect figs, creating a direct shield against access. Covering the entire tree with fine mesh netting is an effective solution for larger trees. The netting should be draped over the canopy so it does not rest directly on the fruit, preventing birds from pecking through the mesh.
The netting must be gathered tightly around the trunk and secured with plant ties to prevent birds from gaining entry from below. High-quality knitted polyethylene or nylon netting with a small aperture size (ideally a half-inch or less) is recommended to avoid entanglement risks. Growers sometimes construct PVC or wire frames to suspend the netting away from the branches, which simplifies harvesting.
For smaller trees or individual fruits, organza bags provide targeted protection. These small, mesh, drawstring bags are slipped over figs once they begin to swell and show signs of color change. The standard 4×6-inch size is suitable for most figs, allowing room for growth and adequate airflow.
Bagging is an inexpensive method that isolates the fig from birds and certain insects, though it requires more time per fruit. The drawstrings are pulled snug around the stem to secure the bag without needing a knot. Using green-colored bags can help camouflage the fruit, making the figs less conspicuous.
Using Visual and Noise Deterrents
Deterrent methods work by confusing or startling birds, discouraging them from landing on or near the fig tree. Reflective materials, such as strips of holographic Mylar tape or old CDs, are effective visual deterrents when hung from branches. The movement and flashing light produced by these items create an environment that birds find unsettling.
The effectiveness of visual deterrents is often temporary, as birds quickly habituate to static threats. To maintain the illusion of danger, it is necessary to move or rotate the placement of reflective items every few days. Similarly, decoy predators, like plastic owls or hawk silhouettes, must be relocated frequently to prevent birds from recognizing them as harmless.
Auditory devices, which broadcast distress calls or predator sounds, can also be used to scare birds away. These noise deterrents are typically motion-activated to prevent birds from growing accustomed to the sound pattern. Using a combination of moving reflective objects and intermittent sound offers a more robust defense than relying on a single method.
Management Through Timing and Environment
Adjusting harvest practices and managing the surrounding environment can reduce the window of opportunity for bird damage. Figs are most intensely targeted in the morning, with birds often intensifying their feeding efforts after 9:00 AM. Harvesting figs slightly underripe or immediately upon softening, typically in the early morning, secures the fruit before the birds become most active.
Figs can ripen indoors on a counter for a day or two, making it possible to pick them just before they reach peak softness on the tree. Birds sometimes peck fruit to satisfy their thirst, especially during hot, dry weather. Placing a clean, well-maintained birdbath with fresh water away from the fig tree provides an alternative source of moisture, diverting attention from the fruit.
Maintaining the fig tree’s shape through regular pruning also aids in bird management. Keeping the tree to a manageable height and width makes it easier to install full-tree netting securely and allows for quick access to bag individual fruits. A more compact tree structure reduces the number of hard-to-reach figs that become easy targets for birds.